US National Association of Home Builders warns against imposing tariffs on Canadian lumber imports

GRANGER MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in the U.S. and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, on Tuesday responded to comments by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding the imposition of tariffs on Canadian lumber imports by stating: “NAHB respectfully disagrees with comments made by Commerce Secretary Ross that the tariffs on Canadian lumber imports into the U.S. will have little effect on the cost of housing. While Ross cannot cite specific consequences regarding this punitive tariff, we can.

“If the 20 percent lumber duty remains in effect throughout 2017, NAHB estimates this will result in the loss of nearly $500 million in wages and salaries for U.S. workers, $350 million in taxes and other revenue for the governments in the U.S. and more than 8,200 full-time U.S. jobs. Lumber prices have already jumped 22 percent since the beginning of the year, largely in anticipation of new tariffs, adding nearly $3,600 to the price of a new single-family home.

“Clearly, protectionist measures to prop up domestic lumber producers at the expense of millions of U.S. home buyers and lumber users is not the way to resolve the U.S.-Canada trade dispute or boost the U.S. economy.

“As an industry that is on the front lines of this issue, NAHB would be happy to discuss this matter with the White House and seek solutions that will not harm housing affordability for millions of hard-working American families.”